First trial – Annas the Father-in-law of Caiaphas the High Priest, John 18:12-14

Jesus is brought in front of Annas for the first of six trials. This trial was illegal because it was before daylight.

Annas was the immediately previous High Priest, the Father–in–law of Caiaphas who was the current the High Priest.

Annas full name was Annas Ben Seth, and he ruled as the High Priest from AD6–AD15.

The Jewish Law system was designed to give the accused a fair trial but in this case, it was total abused.

Background Reading:

Jesus Taken to Annas — 1st trial

18:12 Then the soldiers, along with their commander and the Jewish officers, arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13 First they brought him to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people.John 18:12-14
Also read: Matthew 26:57-58; Mark 14:53-54; Luke 22:54

More Information:

Israel was conquered by the Roman Empire in 63 BC, and then occupied by them. A consequence was that the authority of the local Jewish courts was limited. It appears about AD6 when the Romans appointed a proconsul to govern Israel they also suspended the authority of the Sanhedrin – the Jewish courts – to pass and commission death sentences. They could only make a request for a death sentence, but it could not be actioned until confirmed by the Roman authorities, who performed the actual execution.